MYANMAR’S football star Maung Maung Lwin etched his name into history by scoring the only goal in ASEAN All-Stars’ sensa­tional 1-0 victory over English giants Manchester United in a post-season friendly held on the night of 28 May at Bukit Jalil Sta­dium in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Despite United fielding a squad mixed with senior stars and young prospects, it was the ASEAN All-Stars who emerged victorious thanks to a stunning 70th-minute strike by Maung Maung Lwin. Coming off the bench in the second half, the My­anmar winger capitalized on a de­fensive lapse to deliver the deci­sive blow, becoming the first-ever Myanmar player to score against Manchester United.

United, still reeling from a disappointing domestic season where they finished in the bottom half of the Premier League and lost the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur, looked slug­gish in their Asian opener. Their starting lineup featured familiar names like Harry Maguire, Ca­semiro, Rasmus Hojlund, Kobbie Mainoo and Andre Onana, while the second half saw wholesale changes with the introduction of Bruno Fernandes, Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo.

Despite these changes and some late pressure, the Red Dev­ils were unable to find a break­through, with Maung Maung Lwin’s goal standing firm until the final whistle. The result de­livers an early blow to United’s post-season tour and provides ASEAN football with a landmark moment in front of a packed Southeast Asian crowd. — Ko Nyi Lay/ KZL